Triceps Aponeurosis Tongue Shape Flap: A New Technique to Solve the Wound Problem in Olecranon Fracture Fixation

Abstract

Background: Internal fixations for olecranon fractures, like tension band wiring and plates, have some complications such as prominence of the devices, neurovascular injuries, superficial infection, and skin irritation. In this study, a new triceps aponeurosis tongue shape flap technique was used to solve the problem in patients with olecranon fracture fixation. Materials and methods: Nine patients with olecranon fractures were evaluated. After fixation by tension band wiring and plate, the free aponeurosis triceps muscle in a tongue-shaped flap was used and rotated 180° to cover the whole the pin wire or plate. The surgeon then began to suture it to the anconeus, extensor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles, fully around, with absorbable sutures. The follow-up time was eight weeks and a Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) was filled for all patients. Results: Nine patients were analysed. Two cases were male and seven was female. The meanage was 49.11±10.37 years. Extension was full in six patients and was 170 in three. Flexion was full in all patients. No complications were recorded. The MEPS results showed that it was good and excellent in all the patients (number for patients was in the range of 80-95). Conclusion: According to results of present study, this technique can help to surgical fixation of olecranon fractures with different devices to have fewer complications, especially prominence of fixator systems and with this method tension band wiring can be remained as a gold standard in olecranon fracture fixation.